Page 122 of Second Chance Mates

“They are,” she sobs. “I saw them. They’re here. They’re back. They’re taking me away again.”

I lean out to take her hand, trying anything to calm her down, but she leaps off the bed. Her body collapses onto the floor as endless tears fall down her cheeks. “No,” she gasps. “Don’t touch me. I don’t want you to touch me.”

My hands retreat carefully as I study her face. I clench my jaw at her petrified state, but if I do anything more, I risk breaking her trust. My wolf howls at me to do something, but I have to put her first. She’s safe here with me, that’s a start.

“It was a nightmare, Ava,” I whisper. “They’re not here. Okay? Whatever you saw, it was a dream. I promise they’re not here.”

She clamps her eyes shut and pushes her back into the wall, wrapping her arms around her legs. I drop to the floor and face her from across the room, listening to the sound of her blood pounding through her veins.

“Ava, listen to me.” I try to get her eyes to focus on me, but she’s not thinking right now. “Listen to my breaths, okay? You’re going to make yourself panic. Please, listen.”

Her throat tenses before gasping. “Come on, baby,” I drop my tone and push through the bond to calm her mind, wrapping a wave of security around her nerves like a soothing blanket.

For a few moments, her eyes glaze over and she takes her first calm breath. But then she shakes her head. “Stop doing that,” she shouts. “Stop messing with my head!”

She entwines her fingers into her hair and starts tugging at the strands. “Don’t hurt yourself.” I move forward, but she watches me with terror in her eyes. “Ava. Please. I’m sorry. I only want to comfort you.”

My heart strains. I’ve never acknowledged this agony before. Seeing it right in front of me, but not being able to do a single thing about it. I want to wrap her up in my arms and hold her until she knows she’s safe again. It’s my only wish.

“I felt them,” she whimpers. “On my skin. They’re always around me. I’ll never be able to escape them. They made me like this.”

A light of fury ignites in the pit of my stomach. I know they’re dead, but I’d do anything to bring them back and torture them all over again.

“Baby,” I whisper. “Listen to my breaths. I want you to copy me.”

She’s already beginning to hyperventilate, and I don’t want it to escalate.

Those glossy brown eyes locate mine before she looks down to my lips. I breathe in for four long counts before exhaling as long as possible. I keep going until Ava copies my actions, but her chest quivers with her breathing pattern. “That’s it,” I encourage her. “Deep breaths. Fill your lungs, then breathe out like you’re trying to blow out candles. Yes. That’s it.”

Once her breathing slows down and the bond is begging me to give her some kind of affection, all I can offer is a smile. “Good. You’ve got it.”

Ava nods and presses a hand flat to her chest as she takes control. Her cheeks are still stained with tears, but as soon as she gives me her consent to comfort her, I’m wiping them away.

Her gaze flicks down to my lip and she frowns, shaking her head. “I’m sorry,” she sniffles. “I’m so sorry.”

“What for, Ava?”

I scoot closer so we’re only a metre apart, but I keep my hands to myself. “For hurting you.” She points to my bust lip that I had forgotten all about. “I-I didn’t mean to. The dream felt so real. I saw them. Then I saw you. I flinched. I’m so sorry.”

My brows crease. “You don’t need to apologise. It’ll heal in the next few minutes. It’s fine. I’m fine. You didn’t hurt me.”

She wraps her arms around herself once more and releases a few more tears. Her eyes are so sore that I can’t watch her cry anymore. I will break. This is destroying me. “I can’t go back to sleep.” She shakes her head. “I can’t. I don’t want to.”

“Then, we’ll stay up and talk,” I suggest. “Would you like that?”

Ava’s exhausted eyes sweep the room as she remains silent for a few moments. Then, she nods. “Don’t leave me. I don’t want to be alone right now.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” I promise.

Neither of us say anything more. I listen to her undisturbed breaths and sigh in relief because I know she’s calmer. Her fingers twitch around her legs.

“Can I hold you now, Ava?”

There is zero hesitation when she nods. My wolf cries in desperation to touch her, to soothe her, to take away her pain in any way we possibly can.

She pushes up onto her knees and bundles herself into my arms. I cradle the back of her head and secure the other around her lower back. I press my lips to the side of her face.

“I’ve got you,” I whisper. “I’ve always got you. You’re always safe with me.”

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